SeaChange International is putting Europe's network operators on the fast track to making a business of IPTV. The world's most experienced provider of IPTV systems now offers the SeaChange TV Platform, an end-to-end IPTV solution including modular client/settop, network and back office software options that empower operators to rapidly launch quad play services with a wealth of vastly differentiated IPTV services.

Debuting at IBC this week, SeaChange TV Platform applications span on-demand (nPVR, DVD, games), advanced interactivity (walled garden, red button, weather, voting, ecommerce) and convergence (SMS/MMS, caller ID on TV, network PVR programming via mobile or web, home media management, video conferencing). Backed by content acquisition and professional services, SeaChange TV Platform is the product of the Company's unmatched experience in serving advanced television to over 20 million homes and providing middleware for over eight million two-way settop boxes.

"TV Platform weaves IPTV right into the 'service delivery platform' that operators have already deployed for the rest of their quad play," said George Breen, president of SeaChange's interactive division. "It's based on extensive, market-proven software and services and it's ready for deployment today. Operators can run with the individual pieces to complete their infrastructure, or roll out the entire suite for a turnkey IPTV business."

IPTV on operators' terms
SeaChange's TV Platform software was developed for operators to easily brand, launch and bill a universe of video content and services from SeaChange or third-party developers. It ensures a highly cost-effective approach to services that will attract and retain subscribers, including bringing all of the advantages of IPTV to today's low cost settop boxes and eliminating anticipated redeployment expenses.

Like all SeaChange solutions, TV Platform is built on an architecture that is open to industry standards so, whether deployed as an end-to-end solution or in modules, it allows operators to plug and play the industry's best-of-breed components and services - like digital rights management, Electronic Program Guides (EPGs) and content acquisition - and to decouple critical business functions - like product promotion and asset management. SeaChange TV Platform's modular software components include:

SeaChange TV Navigator Four, a next-generation client middleware for telco, satellite, cable, terrestrial and hybrid operators to assemble a range of on-demand, convergence and advanced subscriber services over settops devices. Ancillary applications, like the advanced EPG - incorporating subscriber customization, a preference engine and cross-application search (broadcast, VOD, PVR, internet) and a third-party application launcher - underscores SeaChange's ability to enable unique and highly competitive subscriber services.

SeaChange TV Business System handles back office operations including subscriber management (service allocation, provisioning, billing, subscriber profiles); campaign management (packaging, pricing, promotions and reporting back to management staff); Digital Rights Management for content and subscriber protection; service and asset management, including channel lineup, barker channel and application service management; and OSS/BSS interface.

SeaChange Axiom Core software handles IPTV network resources (servers, storage and bandwidth); session and resource management; propagation services; connection management, asset management; and real-time system performance monitoring.

Jump-starting the IPTV pipeline
Operators need every opportunity for a quick start in IPTV. While SeaChange can build the pipeline, it can also fill it with content that's proven to drive subscriber streams through three distinct advantages: content aggregation, content prep tools and media services. London-based ON Demand Group, SeaChange's content aggregator, is Europe's leading provider of movies and the latest programming from Hollywood studios and other content owners. It is the driving force behind the region's largest and fastest growing on-demand and pay-per-view services, including NTL:Telewest On Demand, FilmFlex, Front Row and Mirador. SeaChange's integral services include creative development/promotions, user interface customization and new business development, which helped to establish the phenomenal BBC Pick of The Week on-demand service.

"SeaChange is solving some of the most crucial problems in front of operators - providing a comprehensive product line up and access to the most lucrative content available," said Venkat Krishnan, director, IPTV solutions, SeaChange. "Out of the gate, there's absolutely no compromise. TV Platform was created to ensure robust and highly competitive IPTV, making the most of operators' networks and complementing other quad play services."

IPTV wholesaling: New business opportunity
With scalability to meet the demands of millions of subscribers, as well as unlimited customization, SeaChange TV Platform can be a catalyst for IPTV "wholesaling," a new business opportunity whereby one operator sells IPTV services to other operators or to television networks, which they in turn market to subscribers under their own brands. With a single TV Platform deployment, one operator can customize and manage numerous, differentiated IPTV services for a host of other individual operators. From promotional packages to business rules, navigation "look and feel" and content, distinct brand experiences can be established and managed seamlessly.

Advantages of experience
SeaChange has enabled robust interactive services in demanding, large metropolitan television operations since 2000. Today, more than 125 television operations including NTL:Telewest, Verizon, NTT, Comcast and others rely on the Company's software, systems and professional services. With unparalleled expertise, SeaChange is continually improving the cost of deploying IPTV for any network operator and enabling a host of incremental revenue generating opportunities. SeaChange will feature TV Platform in booth 1.429 at the International Broadcasters Conference in Amsterdam through September 12.